# Russian drone strikes on Black Sea maritime vessels > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/russian-drone-strikes-on-black-sea-maritime-vessels > Updated: 2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 34. Developments: 3. A series of Russian drone strikes have targeted civilian maritime vessels in the Black Sea region and its connected waterways. In the Black Sea, a Tanzanian-flagged civilian ship traveling toward a Ukrainian port was struck by a drone. Ukrainian authorities reported that the attack killed the ship’s captain and injured three crew members. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed the strike targeted a vessel 11 kilometers off the port of Odessa, alleging the cargo was intended for the Ukrainian armed forces. Subsequently, a Turkish-owned cargo ship, the M/V Mariam M, which also flies the Tanzanian flag, was struck by a Russian drone in the Danube Delta canal near the Romanian border. The strike, occurring in the Bastroe Canal, caused a significant fire that destroyed the vessel’s bridge and crew quarters. Casualty reports for this incident vary: Turkish media reported two deaths, including the captain and a pilot, with 13 injuries, while Ukrainian sources reported one death and three injuries. On October 5, 2026, the Turkish-owned grain cargo ship Royad Mammadov, flying the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis, was struck by drones in the Black Sea. The vessel was traveling from the Ukrainian port of Izmail toward Ravenna, Italy, when it caught fire and sank within Romania’s exclusive economic zone, near the Pescăruș oil platform. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the vessel was struck by “two Russian drones” while in neutral waters. Following rescue operations by the Romanian Coast Guard and the Romanian Sea Rescue Agency, 11 crew members—including citizens from Azerbaijan and India—were rescued. Two fatalities were confirmed, including the ship’s captain. ## Claims - Eleven crew members were rescued, while two were found dead. (disputed by 11 sources) - Thirteen crew members are reported missing. (disputed by 8 sources) - The Royad Mammadov was a grain cargo ship. (corroborated by 16 sources) - A fire broke out on the vessel following the incident. (corroborated by 14 sources) - The incident occurred approximately 20 nautical miles off the Romanian coast. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The Turkish vessel Royad Mammadov was hit by a drone in the Black Sea. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The ship's commander sustained injuries. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The vessel was near the Pescăruș oil platform. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Romanian rescue vessels SAR APOLLO, SAR ARTEMIS, and SAR ARES were deployed for the operation. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Volodymyr Zelensky claimed the vessel was hit by two Russian drones. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-05: Royad Mammadov grain ship sinks in Black Sea after suspected drone strike The Turkish-owned grain ship Royad Mammadov sank in the Black Sea after a suspected drone strike. Two crew members died and 11 were rescued near the Romanian coast. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/royad-mammadov-grain-ship-hit-by-drone-in-black-sea ### 2026-09-17: Russian drone strikes Turkish cargo ship in Danube Delta A Russian drone struck the Turkish-owned cargo ship M/V Mariam M in the Danube Delta, causing a fire and multiple casualties, including the captain. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russian-drone-strikes-turkish-cargo-ship-in-danube-delta ### 2026-09-17: Tanzanian-flagged civilian ship hit by drone in Black Sea A Tanzanian-flagged civilian ship was hit by a drone in the Black Sea, killing its captain and injuring three crew members. Russia claims the vessel was carrying cargo for the Ukrainian military. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tanzanian-flagged-civilian-ship-hit-by-drone-in-black-sea --- Cite as: Russian drone strikes on Black Sea maritime vessels. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/russian-drone-strikes-on-black-sea-maritime-vessels